ST. LOUIS (KSDK) – 5 On Your Side received an anonymous tip that kids were being exposed to lead contamination and teachers at Buder Elementary were getting sick after workers started doing construction in an elevator.

The school's superintendent later confirmed that there was lead in the dust around the elevator, but he didn't know about it until a few days later. He said by that time, crews had cleared the area four times.

The district did not tell parents about the lead contamination. They also didn't send children home. The communications director told NewsChannel 5 it wasn't necessary to worry parents without reason.

We do know the school's principal asked the health department to come in to test the kids. Health workers were supposed to go into the school on Thursday, but the communications direction said he's asked to postpone the testing because it's not necessary.

"We know children who have even low levels, they can have behavior issues and developmental issues that can follow them throughout life," Jeanine Arrighi with the health department said.

The district said they are investigating the contractor who did the work around the elevator to find out why the workers didn't clean up the area properly. The district communications director also told us they were sending home a letter Tuesday about the lead last week. The parents we talk to never got a letter.